tender glance

USAGE SUMMARY

"tender glance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a gentle, affectionate look or gaze. Example: As she leaned in for a hug, he brushed her hair out of her face and gave her a tender glance, conveying the depth of his love for her without saying a word.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A tender glance passed between them.

The Guardian - Books

VS: The woman gives the caregiver, who is sitting close to her, what is interpreted as a tender glance, and asks with a sympathetic tone whether the staff have had a rough day.

Dementia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The feathery, soft textures of these garments corresponding with melting, tender glances between people who belong to the same happy, confident world.

The Guardian - Arts

The audience understood that as a dig at Tony Blair for charging out of the comfort zone without a tender backward glance for the bewildered infantry.

The Guardian - Opinion

No matter how much you love the sight of the thousands of perfect Chiweenies you will never possess or even meet, Big Poppa the Rottweiler is real; he is in the here and now; and he lives for a tender, life-affirming glance from you.

The New Yorker

They share a night of tender moments – stolen glances, affectionate touching, skinny dipping – that lead to a quick kiss.

Los Angeles Times

At a glance "The Tender Land" should have been as endearing a piece of Americana as any of Copland's other middle-period works.

The New York Times - Arts

Maybe a 'thank you' from the child, a fond glance, a tender reminder of what ought to have been the paramount importance in his life might have startled Loiseau out of the mad despair that had seized him, might have been the helping hand he needed to pull him out of the dark hole of depression into which he had allowed himself to sink.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An embrace, rough or tender, or a sly, sideways glance unlocks qualities suppressed in all of his partners; he rids his ballerinas of their fears by creating a world so tangible that they seem to forget the audience and suddenly believe that they are Sylvia, Odette, Odile, Giselle and now, finally, Juliet.

The New York Times - Arts

His take was glancing and indirect but tender — the fond regard of a lover who sees and forgives every flaw.

The New Yorker

His take was glancing and indirect but tender — the fond regard of a lover who sees and forgives every flaw.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tender glance" to subtly convey affection or empathy between characters in your writing. It's more nuanced than saying someone "smiled lovingly".

Common error

Avoid using "tender glance" excessively when describing interactions. Over-description can slow down the pace and feel repetitive. Instead, vary your descriptions of non-verbal communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tender glance" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "tender" modifies the noun "glance". It describes a specific type of look characterized by gentleness and affection, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tender glance" is a grammatically sound and evocative way to describe a gentle and affectionate look. According to Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for use in written English. While not overly common, with limited examples available, its usage spans across news, media, and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to slightly informal register. When using this phrase, consider the subtle emotions you wish to convey and avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as "affectionate gaze" or "loving look" can provide similar sentiments with slight variations in intensity. As highlighted, it’s more common in creative and narrative writing, but can be used for formal purposes if necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affectionate gaze

Replaces "glance" with "gaze" and "tender" with "affectionate", emphasizing the warmth of the look.

loving look

Uses simpler language to convey a similar sentiment of affection.

gentle gaze

Substitutes "tender" with "gentle", highlighting the softness of the look.

warm glance

Focuses on the feeling conveyed by the glance, using "warm" as a descriptive adjective.

caring look

Emphasizes the concern and affection behind the look.

sympathetic gaze

Highlights the empathy conveyed in the gaze.

kindred glance

Implies a shared connection or understanding in the look.

fond look

Uses the word "fond" to describe the affectionate nature of the look.

soft gaze

Focuses on the gentle quality of the gaze.

intimate glance

Highlights the personal and close nature of the look.

FAQs

How can I use "tender glance" in a sentence?

You can use "tender glance" to describe a gentle, affectionate look. For example, "She gave him a "tender glance" across the table, letting him know she understood."

What's the difference between "tender glance" and "loving look"?

While both phrases convey affection, ""tender glance"" implies a fleeting, gentle expression, while "loving look" can be more sustained and intense.

What can I say instead of "tender glance" to describe a non-romantic situation?

Consider alternatives like "sympathetic gaze" or "caring look" to convey empathy and concern without romantic undertones.

Is "tender glance" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "tender glance" is more suited to creative or narrative writing. In formal contexts, consider more neutral terms depending on the specific situation, but this phrase generally aligns best with creative writing.